Medicare Blog

how do i apply for spousal medicare benefits

by Kamille Russel Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Follow these steps to apply online:

  • To start your application, go to our Apply for Benefits page, read and agree to the Terms of Service. ...
  • On that page, review the “Getting Ready” section to make sure you have the information you need to apply.
  • Select “Start A New Application.”
  • We will ask a few questions about who is filling out the application.

More items...

Full Answer

Do Your Medicare benefits cover your spouse?

May 07, 2021 · You must now be single to apply for Medicare benefits. You are widowed, but were married for at least 9 months before your spouse died, and they qualified for Social Security benefits. You must now...

Do I get the same Medicare benefits as my spouse?

How to Apply Online for Retirement, Spouses or Medicare Benefits It’s so easy! Just go to . www.SocialSecurity.gov/benefits/retirement and select Apply for Retirement Benefits and then accept the terms of service to begin. SocialSecurity.gov. Apply Online for Benefits. Select one: • Start a New Application • Return to Saved Application Process

Is spouse covered under Medicare?

Sep 02, 2019 · For your spouse to have Medicare coverage, he or she must have a separate, individual policy. Your non-working spouse is eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A coverage at the age of 65 based on your work record and if you meet the necessary requirements for Medicare coverage mentioned above.

When can you apply for Medicare benefits?

May 28, 2019 · You can contact Medicare by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227, or 1-877-486-2048 for TTY users) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also visit the Medicare.gov website. There may be several choices of Medicare plans that could work for your situation, and I’d be happy help you find them.

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Can a wife get Medicare through her husband?

Medicare is individual insurance, so spouses cannot be on the same Medicare plan together. Now, if your spouse is eligible for Medicare, then he or she can get their own Medicare plan.

How do you qualify for spousal benefits?

You qualify for spousal benefits if:Your spouse is already collecting retirement benefits.You have been married for at least a year.You are at least 62 years old (unless you are caring for a child who is under 16 or disabled, in which case the age rule does not apply).

When can a spouse claim Medicare?

age 65When you turn age 62 and your spouse is age 65, your spouse can usually receive premium-free Medicare benefits. Until you're age 62, your spouse can receive Medicare Part A, but will have to pay the premiums if they don't meet the 40 quarters of work requirement.

Is my spouse eligible for Medicare if she never worked?

Medicare can be available to anyone – including a non-working spouse – who is at least 65 years old and a U.S. citizen or legal resident of at least five years. You may even qualify for Medicare before 65 if you have a qualifying disability or health condition.Jan 20, 2022

What is a second wife entitled to?

Your second spouse typically will be able to claim one-third to one-half of the assets covered by your will, even if it says something else. Joint bank or brokerage accounts held with a child will go to that child. Your IRA will go to whomever you've named on the IRA's beneficiary form, leaving your new spouse out.

Does spousal Social Security benefits reduce my benefits?

Benefits paid to your spouse will not decrease your retirement benefit. In fact, the value of the benefits they may receive, added to your own, may help you decide if taking your benefits sooner may be more advantageous.

How does Social Security spousal benefits work?

The spousal benefit can be as much as half of the worker's "primary insurance amount," depending on the spouse's age at retirement. If the spouse begins receiving benefits before "normal (or full) retirement age," the spouse will receive a reduced benefit.

What happens to my spouse when I go on Medicare?

Medicare will only cover you, not your spouse or children if they are not eligible on their own. This is where problems begin, especially when a working spouse is older than a non-working spouse. Say the working spouse turns 65, retires, and claims Medicare. The other spouse is only 61.Jun 4, 2018

Do both spouse's pay Medicare Part B?

You and your spouse pay separate premiums for Medicare benefits under Medicare Part B, and Medicare Part D if you sign up for it. If one or both of you choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you will continue to pay separately the Medicare Part B premium and possibly a separate plan premium.

Can you get Medicare if you never paid into Social Security?

Even if you don't qualify for Social Security, you can sign up for Medicare at 65 as long you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

How much is Medicare Part A if you never worked?

$499If you never worked, then your Part A premium for 2022 will be $499. But if you spent at least 30 to 39 quarters in the workforce and paid Medicare taxes, your premium could be reduced to $274. Medicare Part B, which covers outpatient care, comes with a monthly premium that is not affected by your work history.

Does Medicare cover dental?

Dental services Medicare doesn't cover most dental care (including procedures and supplies like cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions, dentures, dental plates, or other dental devices). Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.

How old do you have to be to get Medicare?

In a case such as this, you must be at least 62 years old.

How long do you have to work to qualify for Medicare?

In the United States, as soon as you turn 65 you are eligible for Medicare benefits if you are citizen or have been a legal resident for five years or more and have worked for at least 40 quarters (10 years) paying federal taxes.

Can you get Medicare at different ages?

If you and your spouse are different ages, you will likely become eligible at different times. Primary Medicare recipients and their non-insured spouses are entitled to the same benefits under Medicare if both have reached the age of 65.

Do you have to enroll in Medicare Part B or D?

If you wish to sign up for Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance), and/or Part D (prescription drug insurance), you must enroll separately during your initial enrollment period, Open Enrollment or during Special Enrollment Period to avoid paying late enrollment penalties.

How old do you have to be to get Medicare?

If your spouse is at least 62 years old, and has worked at least 10 years paying Medicare taxes, you can enroll in Medicare when you turn 65, including premium-free Part A. If your spouse is younger than 62 when you turn 65, you won’t qualify for premium-free Part A until your spouse turns 62 ...

How long do you have to work to get Medicare?

Generally, you qualify for premium-free Part A when you’ve worked at least 10 years (40 quarters) paying Medicare taxes. Beneficiaries typically pay a Part B premium.

Do you have to pay Medicare premiums if you haven't worked?

Beneficiaries typically pay a Part B premium. If you haven’t worked and paid taxes for that long, you may have to pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A, depending on your spouse’s age and how long he or she has worked and paid taxes. If you’re married and haven’t worked in a paying job:

How to enroll in Social Security by phone?

Enroll By Phone. Contact Social Security to schedule a phone appointment for this enrollment. You can call the main line at 800-772-1213 or a local Social Security office to schedule ( Social Security office locator ). We recommend initiating the request 3-4 months prior to your planned start date.

What happens if you don't have 40 quarters of work?

If you don’t have at least 40 quarters (about 10 years of work) paid into the Medicare system, you aren’t eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A. That means Part A is very expensive when you have limited or no work history.

Documents you may need to provide

We may ask you to provide documents to show that you are eligible, such as:

What we will ask you

You should also have your checkbook or other papers that show your account number at a bank, credit union or other financial institution so you can sign up for Direct Deposit, and avoid worries about lost or stolen checks and mail delays.

Ways to Apply

You can complete an application for Retirement, Spouse's, Medicare or Disability Benefits online.

Retirement or Spouse's Benefits

You can apply online for Retirement or spouse's benefits or continue an application you already started.

Disability Benefits

You can apply online for disability benefits or continue an application you already started.

Appeal a Disability Decision

If your application for disability benefits was denied recently for medical reasons, you can request an appeal online or continue working on an appeal you already started.

Medicare Benefits

You can apply online for Medicare or continue an application you already started.

Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Costs

You can apply online for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits

If you want to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), please read:

What does the SSA look for in spousal benefits?

The SSA looks at the amount of retirement benefits you're eligible for, then the amount of spousal benefits you're eligible for. If the spousal benefits are greater than your retirement benefits, you would be paid your retirement benefits first, then spousal benefits would be used to make up the difference. You always get the larger of the two ...

How much is my spouse's spousal benefit?

Decide when you want to start receiving benefits. Your full spousal benefit is 50% of your spouse's primary insurance amount. However, if you decide to start receiving those benefits before you reach your normal retirement age, your benefit amount will be permanently reduced.

What is the lowest percentage of your spouse's insurance?

The lowest percentage you could possibly get is 32.5% of your spouse's primary insurance amount. In some situations, it might make sense for you to claim your spousal benefits early. However, if you can afford to do so, you'll get more money if you wait until you reach your normal retirement age.

How to check status of Social Security application?

1. Set up an online account if you haven't already. From your "My Social Security" account at https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/ , you can check the status of your application and manage your benefits. If you didn't apply for your benefits online, you can still set up a free account to manage your benefits.

What is the phone number to call for Social Security?

If you can't apply online or don't want to use the online form, you can also call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Is my spouse's retirement benefit based on my primary insurance?

The amount of your spousal benefit isn't affected by the age at which your spouse started receiving their retirement benefits. It is always based on your spouse's primary insurance amount, which is the amount they would receive if they started claiming benefits at their normal retirement age (NRA).

Can my ex-spouse get Social Security?

Your ex-spouse is entitled to Social Security benefits (either retirement or disability) Your retirement benefits are less than your spousal benefits based on their work would be. You've been divorced for at least 2 years (if your ex-spouse has not yet claimed their benefits)

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